"Come on, look this way."
"Hey, kid, that's enough, isn't it? With my reputation, do we really need all this fuss?"
"Mr. Zephyr, I agree with you. With your name alone, once the word gets out, the marines across the four seas will be lining up to buy."
Looking at Zephyr, who was already irritated, Gini said with a flattering smile: "But our boss said, even good wine fears a deep alley! Everyone here on the Sibia River Archipelago is counting on you to sell this wine for us."
Zephyr: "...?"
No, how could I, the Chief Instructor at the Marine Headquarters, become a wine seller?
Hearing Gini's words, Zephyr's face twitched, but seeing the villagers watching expectantly nearby, he could only sigh and say with resignation: "Come on! Let's just get this over with!"
"It will be done right away, so don't worry!"
Gini immediately called out to the filming crew that had been pulled over from the Grado Mafia Family and kicked the person in charge right on the butt. "Didn't you hear what Mr. Zephyr said? Hurry up and start filming! Didn't you say you have years of experience? Why are you still dawdling? Get started already!"
"Right away, boss!"
The director, who had been kicked in the butt, let out a wry smile. "Boss, I'll get it done right away. Just give me a break!"
How could he not be shaken?
That was the Chief Instructor at the Marine Headquarters!
As a mafia, how could he not be shaken by the sight of such a powerful figure?
He did have years of filming experience, but not for this kind of film!
He had originally thought the boss had asked him to bring his subordinate here to film some videos for him, but he had never expected it to be a promotional video for the Chief Instructor at the Marine Headquarters.
Gosh, is Marine Headquarters' financial situation that bad right now?
Even the Chief Instructor is making ads, and he's asking a third-rate filmmaker like him to do it?
No wonder the boss is so powerful; he doesn't look like a retired Lieutenant from a branch in four seas.
So he has this kind of background?!
He actually had connections with the Marines' Chief Instructor!
But he has to say, this feels really good!
Countless thoughts raced through the director's mind, and though he was still shaking, he was incredibly excited.
He looked at Zephyr before him with a fawning smile and said: "Mr. Zephyr, according to the script, you're going to take the green grape wine your student bought just for you, pour a glass, then raise it, lean sideways, and recite that line."
Looking at Zephyr, who was following his instructions, the director's heart suddenly filled with passion, as if he had already entered the stage. "Yes, yes, that's it!"
"Okay, okay, recite the line!"
"Smooth to the taste—"
"Wait, wait, don't forget the first line. Tsk, tsk, tsk, pay attention to the details."
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, smooth to the taste..."
"Perfect! Cut! That's a wrap!"
"Is it finally done?"
Zephyr finally breathed a sigh of relief after hearing the cut. He cast aside his previous embarrassment and emptied the small glass of wine in one gulp.
He had originally thought he would just have to say a few words, but he had never imagined that this guy would make it so complicated.
Now, it's finally done.
"If there's nothing else, can I rest now?"
However, just as he was about to stand, Gini, who had been watching him, suddenly said: "Wait a moment, there's still one more scene, Mr. Zephyr."
"...?"
Zephyr, who had just breathed a sigh of relief, froze. Then he looked at Gini in bewilderment. "Another scene? Didn't we just finish?"
"That one's done, but there's another scene."
Gini said quickly while flipping through his little notebook: "This one's relatively simple. Just stand by the grapevine, gently caress the grapes, and say the lines. The lines are simple, too. Take note."
He flipped to another page. "Quality requires time to mature. We craft our wine with care..."
But no matter what Gini said, Zephyr remained bewildered. As if he hadn't heard anything, he immediately lowered his head to look at the small notebook in Gini's hand, his lips twitching.
"Tell me, how many are there?"
"... Not many, just a few!"
"Hand it over and let me see it."
"There's no need for that! Once we finish shooting, I'll tell you. Oh, and by the way, the Hero of the Marines has to shoot his part too. When should we do that?"
"Give it to me!"
Noticing Gini trying to change the subject, Zephyr simply reached out, and the notebook fell into his hands. He lowered his head to read it. "Strictly adhering to ancient craftsmanship, wisdom passed down from generation to generation..."
"Time holds a rich flavor, and craftsmanship refines it..."
"Wine is good, but don't drink too much."
Zephyr: "..."
Zephyr looked stunned at the densely packed advertisements in his hand.
Seeing this, Gini's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly said: "Not much, not much, really not much."
Especially seeing Zephyr's darkening face, he quickly put on a fawning smile. "Mr. Zephyr, you promised the boss. As the Chief Instructor at the Marine Headquarters, you won't go back on your word, right? You won't!"
Zephyr: "..."
He has something to say!
Zephyr looked at the notebook in his hand, then at Gini before him, then raised his head to look at the surrounding villagers.
At that moment, it seemed as if the villagers were telling him: "You won't!"
"I..."
Zephyr took a deep breath, his face as black as the bottom of the pot, but he forced out a grimace that barely passed for a smile. Then spoke word for word with gritted teeth: "Of course not!"
That damn kid... So this was what he'd been planning all along!
Then, a dangerous glint flashed in his eyes as he looked at Gini. "Your boss will make sure to complete my assignment properly, too, won't he?"
His tone carried deep meaning. "He definitely will, right?"
...
"Of course not!"
Ian said calmly while holding his single-bladed axe as he looked at the two people frowning in front of him. "How could I possibly abandon you? We're just splitting up for now. After all, I'm just a retired Marine Lieutenant now. How can I enter a Marine branch at will?"
"Is that really the case?"
Hearing Ian's answer, Binz breathed a sigh of relief, then scratched his head and asked curiously: "Is it really necessary to separate? It's okay if you go in, though. This mission isn't dangerous. Actually, I don't know why Zephyr-sensei asked you to come. If it's just an investigation, Ain and I are more than enough."
But since Zephyr-sensei said so, he could only comply.
Anyway, they just had to go to the G-5 branch, inquire about the details, and then report back to Marine Headquarters.
As for the Pirate crew that attacked the G-5 branch, they would be found if they could, but if they couldn't, forget it.
The sea is vast, and so much time has passed. The pirates were probably long gone!
But despite all his words, Ian simply said: "Follow my orders!"
Binz and Ain, who were frowning, fell silent.
Without another word, Ian grabbed his one-handed axe and used Moonwalk to leap off the ship, preparing to move separately and head ashore on his own.
He had discovered that as long as there was sunlight, his infinite stamina allowed him to use Moonwalk indefinitely.
It was incredibly convenient!
But just as he left the deck, Ian suddenly stopped and shouted: "Watch out for Vergo!"
"...?"
Vergo?
Why?
But before the stunned two could ask why, Ian used the Moonwalk to head directly towards the island.